Sekhukhune United FC played to a 1-2 defeat at home against Royal AM on Saturday evening in the DStv Premiership match at The New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane.
It was the visitors who got off to a promising start when Mfundo Thikazi found an opener from Babina Noko ‘s defensive error in the ninth minute.
The home side was looking dangerous in the final third, with Linda Mntambo and Tashreeq Morris being instrumental.
Babina Noko had the first clear-cut opportunity of the match 16th minute after kick-off, with Victor Letsoalo going one-on-one with Royal AM ‘s goalkeeper but his effort went straight into Patrick Nyame’s arms.
Babina Noko enjoyed the better chances through the first half hour, putting the visitors under pressure as they remained dominant inside their half searching for an equalizer.
Royal AM was nearly gifted another goal after a second error at the back, but defender Daniel Cardoso did well to recover to deny them a chance to score.
Letsoalo nearly added his second goal of the campaign against his former side in the 23rd minute, but he was denied by Royal AM’s goalkeeper.
Babina Noko enjoyed more of the possession in the latter stages of the half, but they were unable to find a way past the Royal AM defence.
However, the visitors came out firing in the second half and got their second goal in the 55th minute, with Thikazi completing his brace.
Roderick Kabwe looked to pull one back for the hosts in the final 10 minutes, but his effort from distance was turned away by Nyame who was proving a tough nut to crack.
Babina Noko managed to find a chance through Siyabulela Shai who fired past Nyame with two minutes left on the clock before the final whistle
The hosts may have suffered a disappointing third loss of the campaign and are now in 14th place on the DStv Premiership league Log standings with 5 points. Babina Noko will be disappointed with the outcome of the game but they have done enough producing adequate attacks to suggest that they should have taken something more from the game.
Sekhukhune United FC will return to DStv Premiership action this coming Tuesday, where they will be visiting Cape Town City FC on Tuesday 06 September at Athlone Stadium
XI: Mtsweni, Mobbie, Kabwe, Cardoso, Motsepe, Seabi(Shai 64’), Mncube(Masia 64), Mntambo, Morris(Mahlangu 75’ Red Card 90 + 1’), Letsoalo(Mabasa 58’), Mosiathlaga(Mokwana 58’
